Grand Island Town Board tries to clarify special event law

by jmaloni

Fri, Apr 26th 2013 02:10 pm

by Larry Austin

The
Grand Island Town Board spent more than an hour in a work session April 15
discussing the fine print on a proposed local law governing special events.
During a subsequent public hearing on the law, they heard the proposal called
"over-reaching" by interested residents.

The
Town Board sought to put in place a law to govern special events after last
year's Taste of Grand Island. The board found out after the popular event that
there were "issues concerning safety and fire hazards," Councilman Gary Roesch
said.

According
to the proposed law, special events would include "any social occasion,
business development event, or any other activity occurring on public or
private property, having more than 100 persons in attendance, open to the
public, conducted outdoors, with or without admission or invitation fee, a
sponsorship, or requested donation and held on a one-time or occasional basis,
including, but not limited to, carnivals, circuses, fairs, bazaars and outdoor
shows, horse shows or exhibitions, and concerts."

Exempt
are "any property, structures, or uses whose primary or accessory function is
to provide for regular public assembly," events sponsored and conducted
entirely by the town, an event for the purpose of "expressive activity,
provided that the organizers thereof give written notice to the Code
Enforcement Department at least 48 hours prior to such event if more than 50
persons are expected to attend."

An
approved public assembly permit "shall constitute a temporary amendment to the
site plan."

Citizens
who spoke in opposition to the law during the public hearing worried that the
law, if enacted, would cover such events as funerals, ballgames, and graduation
parties. Residents, including George DeGlopper of Fix Road, James Dinsmore of
West River Road, and James Maloney of Whitehaven Road, voiced their opposition
to the law, with Maloney calling the law "over-reaching" and "unrepublican."

The
board took no action Monday night, and afterward Councilman Ray Billica said
the intent of the law was "not an attempt by the Town Board to police
everybody's party."